I was one of those tempted by sub £300 prices. It might be the cheapest playstation I have ever bought in real terms, never mind inflation. PS1 and PS2 were both around £300. PS3 slim was somewhat over £300. I think my PS4pro was more like £400. PS5 at £290 looks a great deal.
“drive further increases in quality of narrative solo experiences, expand multiplayer offerings with increased frequency of content release, introduce free-to-play touchpoints, and integrate more social features”
Leading with the difficult bit to get it out of the way? Not that I am cynical or anything.
I don't like games-as-service, or indeed online games generally. However, I can accept others have different tastes and so am fine with their existence.
The large-scale bungling of their chosen strategy gives me major pause for thought about the direction they are taking.
We keep being told how expensive games are becoming to make. Management indulging in delusional bandwagon-jumping is considerably more difficult to swallow as an excuse to for higher prices than spiraling production costs.
Started strong but tended to drag. I wasn't there for the awards, but if I was I would have been annoyed at the perfunctory manner in which many were treated.
In an ideal world publishers would read the market better and fill the various sectors with appropriate numbers of games. Instead they engage in wishful thinking and bandwagon-jumping, and attempt to force consumer tastes towards where they perceive profits.
Sony is far from getting everything right, but i think that their fundamental strategy is sound. It is telling that it has been the more stable in terms of their hardware and service offering.
The "corner the market and then dictate terms" strategy is classic MS. It is heartening to see the market tell them to re-assess.
I have heard claims that now their aim is to be the largest publisher. I am sceptical - MS don't tend to play on other people's lawns.
If the quote truly reflects his views, then he won't last long at Microsoft should Xbox ever gain (rather than buy) a preeminent place in the industry.
Away this weekend, but if I get a chance it is time to progress my Resident Evil remake/remaster/reimagining/re-anything else run (RErrrrr for short). RE Zero is done so next up is OG RE remake.
I have had the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney trilogy in my backlog for ages, having completed the first one. I once again feel the urge to point dramatically across the room and shout "Objection!", so now's the time for Justice for All.
I find that the greatest strength of a subscription service, access to games that you might not ordinarily buy, is also it's greatest weakness, in that you waste time on things which are not to your taste.
I had a lot of fun whilst subscribed last year but I prefer to research and pick my games more carefully.
I have to say I sort of agree that the series is a satire of American 50s optimism. Setting a game elsewhere could introduce a mismatch with its atmosphere.
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Re: Looks Like PS5 Is Going to Clean Up This Black Friday
I was one of those tempted by sub £300 prices. It might be the cheapest playstation I have ever bought in real terms, never mind inflation. PS1 and PS2 were both around £300. PS3 slim was somewhat over £300. I think my PS4pro was more like £400. PS5 at £290 looks a great deal.
Re: $100 Off PS5 Consoles, PSVR2 for Black Friday 2025
Where did the price in £ come from? I can't see it on the Sony blog page linked.
PS5 Digital Edition — £294 .
Really?? I'm in!
Re: Bethesda Is Working on New Fallout Games, Todd Howard Confirms
If they hurry, they might get it out the door by year the bombs drop in the Fallout universe, 2077.
Re: Xbox Console Exclusive S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Sneaks onto PS5 This Year, with PS5 Pro Improvements
Looking forward to it. I played STALKER what seems a lifetime ago and remember its unique atmosphere - I hope that hasn't been lost.
It also provided some of the best FPS/horror set pieces I have ever experienced. More in a similar vein would be welcome.
Re: There's a Brutal Lack of Interest in Marathon from Hardcore PS5 Fans
Maybe they should re-brand it as Snickers?
No, me either.
Re: Comments from Ubisoft's Legal Team Are Not Going to Improve the Embattled Publisher's Image
Well then, they are not getting unfettered access to my money.
Re: Don't Expect a Marathon Shadow Drop This Weekend Following the Big PS5 Reveal
Oh no. Aren't they done with burping these things out yet?
Re: Kids Aren't Dreaming of Owning a PS6, Says Netflix Games Boss
Self-serving corporate word salad. Uncle Phil would be proud.
Re: Ubisoft Spins Off Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six into New Subsidiary with Tencent
“drive further increases in quality of narrative solo experiences, expand multiplayer offerings with increased frequency of content release, introduce free-to-play touchpoints, and integrate more social features”
Leading with the difficult bit to get it out of the way? Not that I am cynical or anything.
Re: Lists of Sony’s Cancelled Live Service PS5 Games Paint a Worrying Picture
Perhaps the upcoming State of Play will contain (or consist of!) projects sidelined by the GaaS fixation.
"Here's what you might have been playing..."
Re: Lists of Sony’s Cancelled Live Service PS5 Games Paint a Worrying Picture
I don't like games-as-service, or indeed online games generally. However, I can accept others have different tastes and so am fine with their existence.
The large-scale bungling of their chosen strategy gives me major pause for thought about the direction they are taking.
Re: Reaction: Sony's Live Service Push Has Been a Disaster of Utterly Insane Proportions
We keep being told how expensive games are becoming to make. Management indulging in delusional bandwagon-jumping is considerably more difficult to swallow as an excuse to for higher prices than spiraling production costs.
Re: Sony Promises It Hasn't Abandoned the Famous Franchises from Its Past
WipeOut. When?
Re: Poll: How Would You Rate The Game Awards 2024?
Started strong but tended to drag. I wasn't there for the awards, but if I was I would have been annoyed at the perfunctory manner in which many were treated.
Well put together but TOO LONG.
Re: Publishers Bail on Live-Service Flops Too Quickly, Says Warframe Boss
One could argue that they don't bail soon enough.
In an ideal world publishers would read the market better and fill the various sectors with appropriate numbers of games. Instead they engage in wishful thinking and bandwagon-jumping, and attempt to force consumer tastes towards where they perceive profits.
Re: Talking Point: Was Sony Right to Resist Adding PS5 Exclusives to PS Plus Day One?
Sony is far from getting everything right, but i think that their fundamental strategy is sound. It is telling that it has been the more stable in terms of their hardware and service offering.
The "corner the market and then dictate terms" strategy is classic MS. It is heartening to see the market tell them to re-assess.
I have heard claims that now their aim is to be the largest publisher. I am sceptical - MS don't tend to play on other people's lawns.
Re: PS Stars 'Returning Soon' in Regional Rollout
"Phased regional rollouts"? What on earth has gone on over there? Did some miscreants encrypt their database or something?
Re: Embracer Claims Newly Adopted AI Policy Will 'Massively Enhance Game Development'
Maybe AI is already in charge over at Embracer, and they are just trying out some of the early decisions on us to see if they fly.
Re: PS Stars Program Still Offline as Sony Engineers Investigate
Oh no, oh dear, how can we live, how can we breathe, what now?
...nevermind.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 533
A fresh controller means I can have a crack at the Platinum for Bioshock (PS3). Combined, of course, with keeping half an eye on Euro '24.
Re: Xbox Really Wasn't Happy with PlayStation's Call of Duty Marketing Deal
If the quote truly reflects his views, then he won't last long at Microsoft should Xbox ever gain (rather than buy) a preeminent place in the industry.
Re: Xbox Explains Why It Shuttered Beloved Hi-Fi Rush Developer
More sweet nothings from Uncle Phil. He's a marketing dude making marketing statements so it is to be expected, I guess.
The question is why is his every utterance given the time of day? Perhaps a bit of the cold shoulder treatment might lead to some more substance.
Re: Xbox Bigwig Confirms Many More Microsoft Games Are Coming to PS5
More Spencerian waffle - there is pretty much no future that isn't compatible with such vagueness.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 532
Away this weekend, but if I get a chance it is time to progress my Resident Evil remake/remaster/reimagining/re-anything else run (RErrrrr for short). RE Zero is done so next up is OG RE remake.
Re: Interview: Why SMT 5: Vengeance Devs Decided to Revisit the RPG and Bring It to PS5, PS4 Players
I haven't played a mainline SMT since Lucifer's Call, so I'm looking forward to this.
Re: State of Play Officially Confirmed for 30th May, Updates on PS5, PSVR2 Games
I just want a surprise!
By "surprise" I mean brand new WipeOut, nothing more, nothing less.
Re: Ubisoft Pirate Game Skull and Bones Gets Trial Version, Price Cut as Player Count Reportedly Plummets
I might check it out if they remove the multiplayer components, add a compelling narrative and characters.
Re: Key Sony Exec Gives Eye-Opening Quotes on the Future of PlayStation and Gaming
@nessisonett Authenticity sells. If you can fake that, you've got it made.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 529
I have had the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney trilogy in my backlog for ages, having completed the first one. I once again feel the urge to point dramatically across the room and shout "Objection!", so now's the time for Justice for All.
Re: Yoko Taro Making New Game with NieR Leads, But 'It Might Be NieR, It Might Not Be NieR'
@TheAmbienWalrus Hmmmm... Assegai, nippy but weak shields, keep hammering that absorb button! Feisar is strictly noobs only.
Re: Yoko Taro Making New Game with NieR Leads, But 'It Might Be NieR, It Might Not Be NieR'
So nearly Nier not so far.
Re: Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 528
Deep into Kingdoms of Amalur, it's been OK so far, but is starting to wear out it's welcome. Hope to put it to bed soon.
Re: This Year's Call of Duty May Not Be Included in Xbox Game Pass After All
Promises? They're more a sort of guideline.
Re: There's a 'Real Hunger' for AI to Make Game Dev More Efficient, Says EA Boss
If he likes it, it must be bad.
Re: Gaming Subs Like PS Plus, Xbox Game Pass Aren't Growing At All
I find that the greatest strength of a subscription service, access to games that you might not ordinarily buy, is also it's greatest weakness, in that you waste time on things which are not to your taste.
I had a lot of fun whilst subscribed last year but I prefer to research and pick my games more carefully.
Re: Korea Announces Bold Plan to Buff Nation's Nascent Console Market
I look forward to what, if anything, emerges from this. It would be great to have an additional "voice" in the console market.
Re: Talking Point: What's Next for Xbox Games on PS5, PS4?
I expect a marketing-led company such as Microsoft to be reluctant to discuss competitor ecosystems at or around flagship events.
For the time being I think they would prefer low-key if not stealth announcements outside of the "E3 window."
Re: 'Americana Naivete' Essential to Fallout, Series Will Remain in US
I have to say I sort of agree that the series is a satire of American 50s optimism. Setting a game elsewhere could introduce a mismatch with its atmosphere.
Re: Embracer Group Is Now Splitting into Three Separate Companies
Always read the small print...
Explanatory note [1] tells us:
[1] Official name will be decided at a later stage.
OK, it's bad enough that the names got released into the wild, so kindly continue mocking.